Bryan dropped the third cup of coffee and shook his head to Will's question, "you have no idea."
"I don't have similar experience about being singled out and hated," Bryan put up his index finger, "but I do know what it feels like to fight against the world."
"Tell me about it." Will seemed eager to listen.
The two seemed like two lonely friends sharing their troubles... Over coffee.
"It's my mother," Bryan took another mouthful of coffee; "she's the reason I do what I do."
When Will saw that he didn't speak any further, he probed, "what happened to her?"
"I was fifteen when she was taken. I don't remember the exact details but I know that it was after a brief fight between her and my father.
"She was pissed off and decided to step out to take some fresh air but that was the last time I ever saw her."
Bryan downed another cup of coffee. He found it really intoxicating. He didn't know if it was the coffee or his own feelings of loneliness that was intoxicating, but he liked the feeling of closure he derived from it.
"The police were informed. After several weeks of tracking, the police said that my mother had eloped with her lover and as such, the case was closed.
"Father didn't care anymore, but I tried all I could. After a while of pestering the police, they released evidence of my mother with the man. Apparently, father had seen it but had decided not to show me because I was too young then."
Will pushed his cup of coffee to him as a sign that he should keep going.
"Then what happened?" Will asked. He had forgotten about his own problems and was rather intrigued by his own story.
"Then I was angry and didn't believe that my mother could do such a thing. That was when I started investigating her case.
"I followed several clues I could find and handled the case with my young mind.
"Suddenly, out of the blue, evidence hit me. I found the guy who took her. I found evidence of his corrupt deeds, but this led to a very rich and powerful person who is known only by a code name.
The guy who took my mother was working for him. When I presented the evidence to the police, you know what they said?"
Will shook his head instinctively and sipped on his coffee.
"They told me that it's impossible. They said that I should accept the fact that my mom left with her lover.
I was so angry back then that I ran away from home for a week. After a day, all the evidence, all traces, all connections were wiped out like it never existed. My mother is now a myth...like she never existed."
Bryan paused and downed the last coffee and threw the cup on the table.
"More coffee!" He said gruffly. His eyes were now swollen and red.
This was one story that would make him lose all trace of manliness and adulthood and cry like a baby.
"Now I understand why the police couldn't help even if they wanted to.
"That man is so terrifyingly powerful that he could wipe out anybody trying to look into his matter with just a snap of the finger.
I got to realise this too late and suffered a great consequence. He is invincible and invisible, you can't find evidence against him neither can you track him down.
"I don't know how he does it, but he can see and know whatever he wants to.
"All these years, I kept fighting and hoping that one day I'd find a clue that'll lead me to him— to my mother but it has been very difficult fighting this man; it seems like I'm alone fighting the whole world."
Bryan reached out but found that there was no more coffee.
"That should be enough for now," Will counselled, "you've had too much to drink!"
Bryan shook his head slowly.
Just few cups of coffee and you think I've had too much? Wait till I drink over six bottles of beer!
Uh, why does it seem like I'm proud of being a drunk? Bryan face palmed inwardly again as he restrained his emotions.
"Aren't you afraid that I might be his informant too?" Will asked a little suspicious. Why would he trust him to tell him such private matters?
"You're smart," Bryan belched, "but you see, he doesn't need informants to watch or get information from me. If he wanted to know what we just discussed, he'd just know."
Isn't this similar to 'the exorcist'?
Speaking about "his" most guarded secret results in being known...
Will felt his thoughts drift as he thought about the serial killer that was terrorising the city.
"That's a fair point." Will shrugged and didn't harp on the topic.
"And here I am thinking that I was the only person who was fighting against the world."
"Actually, that's not the only time I felt I was fighting against the world."
Bryan said as more hurtful memories flashed into his mind.
He would need more cups of coffee later....